Pick-by-pick: Recapping the 2017 NBA Draft

2017 NBA Draft Tracker

1. Philadelphia 76ers

Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington: The 76ers traded the No. 3 pick and a future first rounder to move up and get perhaps the final piece to The Process. Fultz can play both guard positions and uses his 6-foot-10 wingspan to defend at an elite level. He was a no-brainer at the top of the draft.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA: The worst kept secret in the draft, Ball is officially headed to Hollywood. This was a foregone conclusion after the Lakers dealt D'Angelo Russell to the Nets earlier in the week, and it gives them their point guard of the future and someone who has All-Star written all over him. Another no-brainer pick.

3. Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke: The question was whether Danny Ainge would go with the scorer in Tatum or a better two-way player in Kansas' Josh Jackson. Ultimately they get a good complement to last year's pick, Jaylen Brown, and he's a player who could come in right away and score.

4. Phoenix Suns

Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas: The Suns receive the best player remaining on the draft board and fill their biggest need. Jackson is the best two-way player in the draft and joins a rising Suns core that already includes Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender.

5. Sacramento Kings

De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky: The Kings get the guy they wanted all along, the fastest man in the draft and perhaps the best defender. Fox finally gives the Kings a point guard they can build around after dealing DeMarcus Cousins at last season's trade deadline.

6. Orlando Magic

Jonathan Isaac, SF, Florida State: Welcome the newest unicorn to the NBA. Isaac is 6-foot-11, has solid handles and a workable jump shot, and he also has the length and athleticism to be an elite defender at the next level. The Magic need an influx of talent, and new GM John Hammond (who took Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee) grabbed a really good one.

7. Chicago Bulls (via MIN)

Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona: The Bulls are beginning their rebuilding phase with a stretch forward in Markkanen who shot better than 42 percent in his lone season with the Wildcats. It's a solid pick for a Bulls team that needed shooting in a desperate way, and they also add Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn in the Butler deal.

8. New York Knicks

Frank Ntilikina, PG, France: The Knicks go with an international player once again, as it worked out well for them two years ago in Kristaps Porzingis. Ntilikina has a long way to go, but his length, court vision and defensive abilities will serve him well early on.

9. Dallas Mavericks

Dennis Smith, PG, North Carolina State: The Mavericks fill their need at point guard with one of the biggest potential steals in the draft. Smith is an electric offensive player who finishes well at the rim, sees the floor well and has elite athleticism.

10. Portland Trail Blazers (via SAC)

Zach Collins, PF, Gonzaga: The Blazers needed to unload one or more of their three first-round picks, and they do so by receiving No. 10 in exchange for Nos. 15 and 20. They get a versatile, talented player in Collins who gives Portland a different look in the frontcourt from what they already have.

11. Charlotte Hornets

Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky: The Hornets have to be thrilled to get a talent like Monk this late in the lottery. There are some question marks surrounding his game, but his ability to score from anywhere on the floor and his athleticism makes him a great fit in Charlotte.

12. Detroit Pistons

Luke Kennard, SG, Pistons: No player saw his stock rise more in the pre-draft process than Kennard, who had superb shooting workouts and great athleticism. The Pistons needed shooting in the worst way, and they get one of the best ones left.

13. Utah Jazz (via DEN)

Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville: He's drawn comparisons to Avery Bradley, and for good reason. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard has a 6-foot-10 wingspan, attacks the basket well and if he can work on his jump shot could become one of the draft's biggest steals.

14. Miami Heat

Bam Adebayo, C, Kentucky: The Heat get a backup to Hassan Whiteside and a replacement for Willie Reed, who will likely leave in free agency. Adebayo still has plenty of room to grow offensively but should fit in right away on the defensive end.

15. Sacramento Kings (via POR)

Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina: They dealt DeMarcus Cousins for Buddy Hield at the trade deadline last year. They get another elite college shooter in Jackson, who made major strides last year in helping North Carolina to a national title.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (via CHI)

Justin Patton, C, Creighton: The redshirt freshman had a monster season with the Bluejays and will slot in behind Karl-Anthony Towns for a Timberwolves team that has to be considered the biggest winner of the night.

17. Milwaukee Bucks

D.J. Wilson, PF, Michigan: One of the March Madness darlings, Wilson came on strong in the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament. He has a unique skill set of perimeter fluidity and strength inside that should make him a good fit in today's NBA.

18. Indiana Pacers

T.J. Leaf, PF, UCLA: This is the scoring the Pacers need if Paul George eventually leaves this year or next year. Leaf is an underrated player who had an excellent freshman season, and easily could have gone higher.

19. Atlanta Hawks

John Collins, PF, Wake Forest: He doesn't have much of an outside game to speak of at this point, but all he did in two seasons at Wake Forest was produce. He's got the size, strength inside and is an able passer. If he ever extends his range he'll be an absolute steal here for a Hawks team looking to replace Paul Millsap.

20. Sacramento Kings (via POR)

Harry Giles, PF, Duke: Definitely a home-run pick for the Kings, who get the top high school recruit in his class. Injuries are a major factor here and the only reason Giles didn't go in the top 10, but if he's able to stay healthy the Kings have a terrific interior player.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder

Terrance Ferguson, SG, Australia: The Thunder needed athleticism, shooting and help in the backcourt. They get all three with Ferguson, a former five-star recruit who has already played a year with pros in Australia. He'll be fun to watch next to Russell Westbrook.

22. Brooklyn Nets

Jarrett Allen, C, Texas: The Nets replace Brook Lopez (Timofey Mozgov doesn't count) with a rim protector, a strong offensive rebounder and someone whose upside is sky-high. A five-star recruit, he came on late in his freshman season with the Longhorns and will have plenty of time to grow on a rebuilding Nets team.

23. Toronto Raptors

OG Anunoby, SG, Indiana: A lottery talent who fell this far because of the ACL surgery he's still recovering from. This could be a summer of change in Toronto, so the Raptors taking a flyer on a guy who could wing up being a steal if he stays healthy makes a lot of sense.

25. Philadelphia 76ers (via ORL)

26. Portland Trail Blazers

Caleb Swanigan, PF, Purdue: One of college basketball's most accomplished players, Swanigan was a pleasant surprise in the first round. There are questions about who he'll defend at the next level but his scoring and rebounding won't be.

27. Los Angeles Lakers (via BRK)

Kyle Kuzma, PF, Utah: Julius Randle's future with the Lakers isn't set in stone, so they go out and get an accomplished player in Kuzma who brings a similar skill set. They grabbed this pick in the D'Angelo Russell deal, so they'd like something to show for it.

28. Utah Jazz (via LAL)

Tony Bradley, PF, North Carolina: Derrick Favors' future in Utah isn't solid, and they dealt Trey Lyles earlier in the night. That means there's a need at power forward, and they get the best remaining with Bradley, who's long and an excellent rebounder. He has a lot of room to grow but has big-time potential.

29. San Antonio Spurs

Derrick White, G, Colorado: The Spurs know what they're doing when it comes to the draft, and this year is no exception. White is able to play both guard spots and gives them insurance in case this is the end of the line for Tony Parker. They have Patty Mills and Dejounte Murray, but White is rock-solid.

30. Los Angeles Lakers (via UTAH)

Josh Hart, SF, Villanova: The Lakers move down two spots and get a small forward in Hart who can play right away. Athleticism and length are concerns for him, but Hart can score and has leadership qualities that he showed off for four years at Villanova. He can shoot it, and if he's able to defend he'll stick in the league.